Effect of alive probiotic on insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes patients: Randomized clinical trial

Background

Probiotics have beneficial effect on obesity related disorders in animal models. Despite a large number of animal data, randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCT) concluded that probiotics have a moderate effect on glycemic control-related parameters. However, effect of probiotics on insulin resistance are inconsistent.

Probiotic fortified diet reduces bacterial colonization and translocation in a long-term neonatal rabbit model

Background

Probiotic fortified diet reduces bacterial colonization and translocation in a short-term neonatal rabbit model when continuously challenged with pathogen. The purpose of this study was to determine if live probiotic diet could remain effective at decreasing colonization/translocation of pathogens in a long-term neonatal rabbit model without ill effects of the probiotic outside the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Methods

Rabbit pups were born via cesarean delivery 1 day preterm and assigned to 2 diets: a newly formulated diet (controls) vs the same diet fortified with the live probiotic Lactoccocus lactis. Enterobacter cloacae was added to both preparations before each feed. Pups were gavage fed twice daily, and weights were recorded. Rabbits were sacrificed on day 7, and organs were harvested and cultured for target organism growth.

Results

The probiotic fortified diet resulted in a significant decrease in Enterobacter translocation to the liver and decreased colonization in the stomach and lungs. There was no evidence of Lactococccus translocation or colonization outside of the GI tract.

Conclusion

This probiotic fortified diet was effective at decreasing pathogenic bacteria colonization and translocation in a long-term neonatal model. The addition of L lactis to the diet resulted in appropriate growth without any colonization or translocation of the probiotic outside of the GI tract.     

Role of a probiotic （Saccharomyces boulardii） in management and prevention of diarrhoea

AIM: To assess the efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces boulardii (5. boulardii) in acute watery diarrhoea and its role in reducing the frequency of episodes of diarrhoea in subsequent two months. METHODS: Children from 2 mo to 12 years of age, with acute diarrhoea were selected according to inclusion criteria and randomised in 5. boulardii group (treated with ORS, nutritional support and 5. boulardii, 250 mg bid) and in control group (treated with ORS and nutritional support only). Active treatment phase was 5 d and each child was followed for two months afterwards. Frequency and consistency of stools as well as safety of drug was assessed on every visit. A comparison of two groups was done in terms of number of diarrhoeal episode in subsequent two months. RESULTS: There were fifty patients in each group. Baseline characteristics such as mean age and the average frequency of stools were comparable in 5. boulardii and control group at the time of inclusion in the trial. By d 3 it reduced to 2.7 and 4.2 stools per d respectively and by d 6 it reduced to 1.6 (5. boulardii Group) and 3.3 (control group). The duration of diarrhoea was 3.6 d in 5. boulardii group whereas it was 4.8 d in control group (P = 0.001). In the following two months, 5. boulardii group had a significantly lower frequency of 0.54 episodes as compared to 1.08 episodes in control group. The drug was well accepted and tolerated. There were no reports of the side effects during treatment period. CONCLUSION: 5. boulardii significantly reduces the frequency and duration of acute diarrhoea. The consistency of stool also improves. The drug is well-tolerated.     

Estimation of the Potential Antitumor Activity of Microencapsulated Lactobacillus acidophilus Yogurt Formulation in the Attenuation of Tumorigenesis in Apc(Min/+) Mice

There is a strong correlation between orally administered probiotics and suppression of the low-grade inflammation that can lead to restoration of normal local immune functions. We studied the potential immunomodulatory and antitumorigenic properties of microencapsulated probiotic bacterial cells in a yogurt formulation in Min mice carrying a germline APC mutation. Daily oral administration of microencapsulated Lactobacillus acidophilus bacterial cells in the yogurt formulation mice resulted in significant suppression of colon tumor incidence, tumor multiplicity, and reduced tumor size. Results show that oral administration of microencapsulated L. acidophilus contributed to the stabilization of animal body weight and decreased the release of bile acids. Histopathological analyses revealed fewer adenomas in treated versus untreated animals. Furthermore, treated animals exhibited fewer gastrointestinal intra-epithelial neoplasias with a lower grade of dysplasia in detected tumors. Results suggest that oral administration of microencapsulated probiotic L. acidophilus exerts anti-tumorous activity, which consequently leads to reduced tumor outcome.     

Prevention of Clostridium difficile infection with Saccharomyces boulardii: A systematic review

BACKGROUND:

Clostridium difficile is a major cause of antibioticassociated diarrhea within the hospital setting. The yeast Saccharomyces boulardii has been found to have some effect in reducing the risk of C difficile infection (CDI); however, its role in preventive therapy has yet to be firmly established.

OBJECTIVE:

To review the effectiveness of S boulardii in the prevention of primary and recurrent CDI. Benefit was defined as a reduction of diarrhea associated with C difficile. Risk was defined as any adverse effects of S boulardii.

METHODS:

A literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library was performed. Included studies were English language, randomized, double-blind placebo controlled trials evaluating S boulardii in CDI prevention.

RESULTS:

Four studies were reviewed. Two studies investigated the prevention of recurrence in populations that were experiencing CDI at baseline. One trial showed a reduction of relapses in patients experiencing recurrent CDI (RR=0.53; P<0.05). The other demonstrated a trend toward reduction of CDI relapse in the recurrent treatment group of patients receiving high-dose vancomycin (RR=0.33; P=0.05). Two other studies examined primary prevention of CDI in populations that had been recently prescribed antibiotics. These studies lacked the power to detect statistically significant differences. Patients on treatment experienced increased risk for thirst and constipation.

CONCLUSION:

S boulardii seems to be well tolerated and may be effective for secondary prevention in some specific patient populations with particular concurrent antibiotic treatment. Its role in primary prevention is poorly defined and more research is required before changes in practice are recommended.     

Construction of recombinant E. coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) strains for the expression and secretion of defensins

The probiotic Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917 (EcN) is one of the few probiotics licensed as a medication in several countries. Best documented is its effectiveness in keeping patients suffering from ulcerative colitis (UC) in remission. This might be due to its ability to induce the production of human β-defensin 2 (HBD2) in a flagellin-dependent way in intestinal epithelial cells. In contrast to ulcerative colitis, for Crohn's disease (CD) convincing evidence is lacking that EcN might be clinically effective, most likely due to the genetically based inability of sufficient defensin production in CD patients.     

5种医用益生菌产品的微生物数量和种属分析

目的:比较市售5种医用益生菌产品的活菌数量、种属与产品标签是否一致。方法:采用选择平板菌落计数法检测产品的活菌数量,利用16S rDNA序列分析、鉴定分离菌株的种属。结果:5种产品共25批的活菌数含量只有1批低于标签标注的数量。分离的10株菌中有3株种属与标签标注的不一致。结论:考察的5种产品中,菌株种属与标签标注存在差异,但产品的活菌数量与标签标注基本一致。     

Comparative genomic analysis for the presence of potential enterococcal virulence factors in the probiotic Enterococcus faecalis strain Symbioflor 1

Enterococci are members of the natural microbiota of animal and human intestinal tracts and are capable of causing opportunistic infections. They are also used as starter cultures in the food industry as well as in health supplements and probiotics by the pharmaceutical industry. This Janus-faced status requires a careful evaluation on the basis of pathogenic traits to ensure the safety of the strain used to produce food and pharmaceuticals. We performed gapped-genome sequencing of a probiotic strain Enterococcus faecalis Symbioflor 1 and present initial results deriving from comparative genome analysis with that of the previously sequenced pathogenic clinical isolate E. faecalis V583. There was strong overall conservation of synteny between both strains and a detailed analysis revealed the absence of large genomic regions from the chromosome of the probiotic strain, indicating gene loss. Genes absent from the Symbioflor 1 strain included those encoding the enterococcal cytolysin, enterococcal surface protein, and gelatinase (coccolysin) as well as hyaluronidase and the peptide antibiotic AS-48. This data was confirmed using PCR primers specific for the respective genes. However, other enterococcal determinants such as aggregation substance, collagen adhesion protein, the ability to resist oxygen anions as well as capsule formation were detected. The presence of these traits may be advantageous for the strain Symbioflor 1 since they potentially enable colonization and proliferation of the bacterium on mucosal surfaces thereby conferring on it probiotic traits.